Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's singles

The women's singles tennis tournament at the 2012 Olympic Games in London was held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon from 28 July to 4 August 2012, and was the first Olympic grass court tournament since tennis was re-introduced to the Games.

Elena Dementieva was the reigning champion having won gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She retired from the sport in 2010 and thus did not defend her title. The first round provided some surprising results, with Li Na and Samantha Stosur both eliminated in three sets. The biggest upset was provided by Julia Görges defeating Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwańska in three close sets. Three British players made it into the second round but all fell in straight sets.

Both finalists, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, were fighting for a Career Golden Slam, and Williams from the United States won the gold medal and became the second woman to win a Career Golden Slam after Steffi Graf. Williams also became the first tennis player, male or female, to hold a Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles.